Action-muffling device for pianos.



W. H. SELTZER. ACTION MUFFLING DEVICE FOR PIANOS.

'APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 23, 1913.

1,104,280, Patented July 21, 1914.

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W. H. SELTZBR.

ACTION MUPPLING manor; FOB PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.23, 1913. I

Patented July 21, 1914.

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UNITEDSTATES PATENT onrion.

WILLIAM' HARRIS SELTZER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ACTION-MUFFLING DEVICE FOR PIANOS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM HARRIS SELTZER, of 2829 North Eleventh street, in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Action- Mufliing Devices for Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in action muffling devices for pianos, and particularly adaptable to those usually termed uprights.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a means whereby any vibrations of the action of a piano may be muffled, and hence subordinated to thefundamental or tone producing vibrations.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily applied to any make or design of instrument, and which is so constructed as to permit access to the action without entirely removing the same from the piano.

A still further object of my invention is to so locate the action mufliing device as to prevent drafts through the music strings and working parts of the instrument.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a perspective view of a piano, with the upper panel removed so as to conveniently illustrate the application of my invention. Fig. II is a vertical section through the piano showing the relative position of the muffling device to the actuating mechanism.

In the said figures, 1 designates the casing of a piano having the usual key board 2. The actuating mechanism is comprehensively indicated at 3, the strings at 4, and the usual sound board at 5.

he tone moderating device comprises a deflecting board 6, located so as to overhang the actuating mechanism 3, and preferably inclined as best seen in Fig. II. The deflecting board 6, is provided with a plurality of battens 7, to afford the necessary reinforcement and may be secured at its ends, to the frame of the piano in any convenient manner. The board 6, is supplemented by a depending vertical extension 8, which is Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 23, 1913.

Patented July 21, 1914.

Serial No. 808,397.

attached by suitable hinges 9, so that it may be raised to afford access to the actuating mechanism. Board 8, extends downward in front of the actuating mechanism 3, and toget-her with board 6, practically incloses the said mechanism. Boards 6 and S, are lined on their inner faces, with a covering of sound absorbing material, preferably felt.

It will be noted that the location of an action mufliing device is such as to prevent drafts through the actuating mechanism and the strings. The varying temperatures accompanying these drafts, cause corresponding contractions and expansions in the action and especially in the strings, which are thereby thrown out of tune and therefore require frequent attention. It will therefore be seen that my invention not only serves as a tone moderating device, but is also functional in protecting the intricate actuating mechanism and the strings against the detrimental effects of drafts, thereby greatly prolonging the life of the working parts, and obviating the necessity of frequent tuning. It will be further noted that I have invented an action muffling device for pianos which may be readily applied to any make of instrument and is designed so as to permit access to the action without necessitating the removal of the device from the piano.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a piano, the combination with the action thereof, of a mufliing device extending above and in front of the said action, and a pivotal connection whereby a portion of the said device may be swung to afford access to the said action.

2. In a piano, the combination with the action thereof, of a mufliing device comprising an inclined board extending above the said action, and a vertical extension located at the front of the said action and pivotally attached to the said board, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a piano the combination with the action thereof, of a mufliing device comprising an inclined board extending above the said action; a vertical extension located at signed my name at Philadelphia this twelfth the ffiOIlt of the Saki action and pivotalb; day of December 1913.

attac ed to the said oar and a lining 0 sound absorbing material for the said board HARRIS SELTZER' and extension substantially as shown and for Witnesses:

the purpose set forth. AUGUSTINE C. METZINGER, In testimony whereof, I have hereunto WALTER A. A. SCHNEIDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. C. 

